GB2288528A - Bomb-resistant litter bins - Google Patents

Abstract

A bomb-resistant litter collecting device comprises a shaft (10) extending downwardly beneath the level (12) of surrounding ground and being open at its upper end, and a removable bin (14) for receiving litter, the bin being housed at least substantially within the shaft. In preferred embodiments, guard means (30) is provided above ground level to prevent pedestrians, vehicles, animals, etc. from accidentally falling into the shaft. In particularly preferred embodiments, the guard means comprises an upstanding collar (32) encircling the opening of the shaft. The device is designed to withstand explosions occurring within the shaft, the walls of which are preferably reinforced, in order to minimize the number of casualties caused by any terrorist bomb placed in the bin. <IMAGE>

Description

BOMB-RESISTANT LITTER BINS The present invention relates to litter bins designed to withstand terrorist bombs.

Terrorism is a constant threat in the modern world, and there are many groups which regularly carry out bombings, such as the IRA in Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. One of the methods adopted by the terrorists has been the placement of explosive devices in litter bins located in public places.

Notorious examples in Britain in recent years have taken place in a shopping precinct in Warrington, and on a platform at Victoria Station, both of which attacks resulted in fatalities.

The injuries caused by such bombs are generally from shrapnel formed from flying fragments of the fabric of the bin, shattered by the blast. Litter bins are commonly made from a number of different materials, such as cast iron, steel, plastic etc., but none of these materials has proved wholly successful in withstanding explosions caused by explosives of the "Semtex" kind, which are habitually used by terrorists. There is therefore a potential risk to public safety posed by each and every conventional litter bin, any of which might be the target for a terrorist bomb. Furthermore, as a result of this risk, many litter bins have been removed from public places, and the resulting shortage of bins causes inconvenience to the general public, and tends to increase the amount of litter which is randomly discarded in public places.

The present invention addresses these problems, and provides a bomb-resistant litter collecting device comprising: a shaft extending downwardly beneath the level of surrounding ground and being open at its upper end; and a removable bin for receiving litter, the bin being housed at least substantially within the shaft.

By housing the bin in a shaft below ground level, embodiments of litter collecting device according to the invention have the advantage that the blast caused by any explosion occurring within the bin will be substantially absorbed by the ground surrounding the shaft, which in preferred embodiments is reinforced, for example with reinforced concrete.

Furthermore, the non-absorbed component of the blast is directed substantially upwardly, with the result that the explosion is rendered harmless to all but those standing very close to the bin at the time of the explosion.

In preferred embodiments, guard means is provided above ground level, to prevent pedestrians, vehicles, animals, etc., from accidentally falling into the shaft. Preferably, the guard means comprises an upstanding collar encircling the opening of the shaft. It is also preferred that the collar be provided with a lockable lid, to prevent insertion of explosive devices into the bin while it is unattended, for example during the hours of darkness.

The invention is hereinafter described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view along a diameter of an embodiment of device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a simplified perspective view of the Fig. 1 device, with the position of the subterranean shaft shown ghosted; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bin and the cylindrical portion of the shaft of the Fig. 1 device, with hidden lines ghosted; and Fig. 4 is perspective view of the above-ground portion of an alternative embodiment of device, having a lid and locking means.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that shaft 10 extends downwardly below ground level 12, and houses bin 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft and bin both have circular cross sections, but this is not essential.

The walls of shaft 10 are composed for reinforced concrete 16, and are lined with a shock absorbing material, in this case fibre glass vessel 18. It will be appreciated that these materials are optional, and that devices according to the invention may be constructed using other reinforcing or shock absorbing materials, or, if the ground surrounding the shaft is sufficiently strong, with no extra reinforcement.

The base of shaft 10 is provided with drainage holes 20, to permit rain water to drain away. This feature is preferred in devices sited in outdoor locations, but will not usually be needed for devices for use indoors, for example in shopping malls and railway stations. In all cases, however, it is preferred that the bin be provided with apertures 22 in its base, which not only permit drainage of rain water (where necessary), but also allow passage of air, to facilitate insertion of the bin into the shaft.

The bin in the illustrated embodiments is provided with hand holes 24, and also upstanding handles 26, which provide alternative means for removal of the bin for emptying, either manually or by means of a suitable tool. To allow greater access to the upstanding handles 26, the uppermost portion 28 of shaft 10 is bevelled to provide a funnel shaped opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle of the bevel is approximately 450.

Guard means 30 is provided above ground level, and in the illustrated embodiments comprises upstanding collar 32 encircling the opening of shaft 10.

The collar is preferably manufactured of shatter-proof material, so as to remain intact during any explosion occurring within the shaft. Suitable materials are bomb-proof glass or resilient plastics material, and the optimum type and grade of material and the dimensions of the collar may be readily ascertained by routine testing. A suitable testing protocol involves causing test explosions within the bin and observing the effects of the blast on the collar, for example by placing a plywood sheet coated with plasticine at a predetermined distance from the collar and subsequently inspecting the blast marks formed in the plasticine, or by causing the collar to be surrounded by smoke (from a fire or smoke bomb for instance) and recording on film the effect of the blast on the smoke.

The primary purpose of guard means 30 is to surround the opening of shaft 10, and thus to prevent pedestrians, vehicles, animals, etc., from accidentally falling into the shaft.

However, the guard means may also serve useful secondary functions, for example the containment of litter in the event of overflow of bin 14. With this in mind, collar 32 is preferably manufactured of transparent material, to permit the level of litter to be readily viewed. A band of reflective paint or tape (not shown) is applied towards the upper edge of the collar, in order that the collar may readily be seen by passing pedestrians.

Optionally, an appropriate notice or logo may be applied to the surface of the collar, such as for example the coat of arms of the responsible local authority, or other insignia.

To facilitate removal of the bin, it is preferred (but not essential) that at least a portion of the collar may be opened or removed. In the illustrated embodiments, the collar is constructed in two parts (32a and 32b in Fig. 2), which are both pivotally mounted on a substantially vertical hinge pin 34.

Hinge pin 34 is provided by the upper portion of stake 36 (preferably of stainless steel) which is securely mounted on ground adjacent the opening of shaft 10, and is provided at its lower end with barbs 38 to prevent removal from the ground.

Locking means 40 is provided to permit collar parts 32a and 32b to be locked together, to prevent accidental or unauthorised opening. In the illustrated embodiments, locking means 40 comprises corresponding apertured brackets 42a and 42b mounted respectively on collar parts 32a and 32b and positioned thereon so as to be brought into contact (or at least close proximity) when the two collar parts 32a and 32b are brought together in closed configuration. Brackets 42a and 42b may then be secured together by means of a suitable padlock. Brackets 42a and 42b are attached to collar parts 32a and 32b by means of rivets 44 (only one shown) of sufficient number and strength to prevent the brackets being dislodged from the collar parts during an explosion occurring within the shaft. It will be noted from Fig.

2 that the vertical edges 33a and 33b of collar parts 32a and 32b are joggled so as to overlap when brought together in closed configuration, thereby strengthening the collar.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 is provided with lid 46, preferably manufactured of a durable material, such as steel.

The Fig. 4 embodiment also comprises locking means for securing lid 46 in a closed position over collar 32. The locking means comprises a locking bar 48, having stop means 50 at one end, and socket 52 at the opposite end, for receipt of a padlock. Collar 32 is provided towards its upper end with opposite apertures 54 (see Fig. 2) for receipt of the locking bar 48, and corresponding apertures 56 (only one shown in Fig. 4) are formed in downwardly extending circumferential skirt 58 of lid 46, which overlaps the upper most portion of collar 32. By passing locking bar 48 through apertures 54 and 56 and securing a padlock through socket 52, lid 46 may be locked in place over collar 32.

A preferred embodiment of device may be constructed as follows. Firstly, a suitable shaft is dug in the ground, for example approximately 1M m deep and 1M m in diameter, and a concrete raft laid in the base around a suitable number of generally vertical reinforcing bars (preferably of steel), the raft optionally having one or more drain holes formed therein.

When the concrete raft has set, moulded fibre glass vessel 18 is positioned thereon, with drain holes 20 aligned with the drain hole(s) in the raft (if present). Further concrete is then laid between the excavated shaft and the fibre glass vessel, around the upstanding reinforcing bars, to secure the vessel in place.

The fibre glass vessel acts as concrete shuttering, giving support to the reinforced concrete before it sets and dries, to prevent the concrete collapsing into the shaft. Before this second application of concrete sets, stake 36 is sunk therein at a predetermined distance from the central axis of the fibre glass vessel, and to a predetermined depth (which may be conveniently indicated on the stake by a depth mark previously applied thereto). The two parts 32a and 32b of collar 32 are then mounted on upper hinge pin portion 34 of stake 36, and a nut 60 welded at the top of the hinge pin to secure the collar parts in place.

The collar parts may be manufactured from suitable shatter proof glass or plastics material and brackets 42a and 42b attached thereto in conventional manner. Suitable methods of manufacture of the lid, locking bar and bin will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

It is the intention and belief of the inventor that the invention will enable litter bins to be constructed which are significantly superior, in terms of bomb resistance, to prior art bins, and that use of embodiments of the invention will therefore contribute appreciably to public safety. Furthermore, as a large portion of potential terrorist bombs would be rendered wholly or substantially harmless if placed in bins constructed according to the invention, the ineffectiveness of such attacks will, it is anticipated, discourage the placement of bombs in the first place, and thereby lead to a further increase of public safety and a decrease in the degree of disruption and expenditure of police time which inevitably accompany any terrorist attack or security alert. Bins constructed according to the invention may be somewhat more expensive to install than conventional bins, but once installed, maintenance costs will be low.

Claims (24)

1) A bomb resistant litter collecting device comprising: a shaft extending downwardly beneath the level of surrounding ground, and being open at its upper end; and a removable bin for receiving litter, the bin being housed at least substantially within the shaft.

2) A device according to Claim 1, further comprising guard means provided above level of the ground surrounding the shaft, to prevent pedestrians, vehicles, animals and objects from falling accidentally into the shaft.

3) A device according to Claim 2, wherein said guard means comprises an upstanding collar encircling the opening of the shaft.

4) A device according to Claim 3, wherein said collar is manufactured from shatter-proof material, to withstand any explosion occurring within the shaft.

5) A device according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said collar is manufactured from transparent material, to permit the level of litter in the bin to be readily viewed.

6) A device according to any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein said collar is permanently mounted on ground adjacent the opening of the shaft.

7) A device according to Claim 6, wherein said collar is mounted on a stake, preferably of stainless steel, optionally barbed at its lower end, driven downwardly into the ground, and optionally set in concrete.

8) A device according to any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein at least a portion of said collar may be opened or removed, to facilitate removal of the bin for emptying.

9) A device according to Claims 7 and 8, wherein the collar is provided in two parts, each pivotally mounted on a substantially vertical hinge pin provided by the upper portion of the stake.

10) A device according to Claim 9, further comprising locking means to permit the two parts of the collar to be locked together, to prevent accidental or unauthorised opening thereof.

11) A device according to Claim 10, wherein the locking means comprises corresponding apertured brackets provided on the two parts of the collar and positioned thereon so as to be brought into contact or close proximity with each other when the two parts of the collar are brought together in closed configuration in order that they may be fastened together by a suitable padlock.

12) A device according to any of Claims 3 to 11, wherein a band of reflecting paint or tape is applied to the surface of the collar, preferably towards its upper edge.

13) A device according to any of Claims 3 to 12, wherein the collar is provided with a closeable lid.

14) A device according to Claim 13, further comprising locking means for securing said lid in a closed position over said collar, to prevent insertion of objects into the collar and shaft.

15) A device according to Claim 14, wherein said locking means comprises a locking bar composed of steel or other durable material, and wherein the collar is provided towards its upper end with two apertures disposed on substantially opposite sides thereof and adapted for receipt of said locking bar, the lid further comprising a downwardly extending circumferential skirt overlapping the uppermost position of the collar and having locking bar receiving apertures corresponding to those of the collar, the locking bar having stop means at one end thereof to prevent complete passage thereof through said apertures, and a socket at the opposite end for receipt of a padlock, whereby by passing said locking bar through said apertures and attaching a padlock to said socket, the lid may be locked in place.

16) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sides and base of the shaft are constructed of reinforcing material to absorb at least in part the impact of any explosion occurring within the shaft.

17) A device according to Claim 16, wherein the walls and base of the shaft are constructed of reinforced concrete.

18) A device according to Claim 17, wherein the reinforced concrete walls and base of the shaft are lined with a shock absorbing material such as fibre glass.

19) A device according to Claim 18, wherein the shock absorbing material is the form of a fibre glass vessel, which acts as a concrete shuttering support during the manufacture of the device.

20) A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more drainage holes formed in the base of the shaft to permit rain water to drain away.

21) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper portion of the shaft is bevelled to provide a funnel shaped opening, to facilitate removal of the bin.

22) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the bin is provided at its upper end within handles, or hand holes or both, to facilitate its removal from the shaft.

23) A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the bin is provided with one or more holes in its base, both to permit rain water to drain away, and to facilitate insertion of the bin into the shaft by permitting passage of air therethrough.

24) A bomb resistant litter collecting device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.